2025 WPBL Mock Draft
The First Five Rounds with Justin, Kate, Mary, and Max
Last night, the Women’s Pro Baseball League announced details for the inaugural player draft. The event will be streamed live on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram on Thursday, November 20th1 at 7:00pm Central. Each of the league’s four teams will finish the evening with 30 players total, and from there the countdown to Opening Day begins.
Now we know when the draft will be, but we don’t yet know who will be drafted and where. As we wait for the official selections, I decided to team up with three of my favorite WPBL content creators for a fun project.
Welcome to our 2025 WPBL Mock Draft!
The Exercise and Selection Criteria
The league has not announced the draft order yet, so each of the four mock managers were randomly assigned a team and a draft position. We opted for snake style just like we’ll see on November 20th. Finally, our mock draft will consist of the first five rounds2 – we’ll each pick a quintet of players to form the foundation of our burgeoning franchise.
Everyone currently listed on the official WPBL prospect ranking page is eligible to be drafted. Beyond that, the selection criteria is completely up to each manager.
Obviously, the real managers of these teams have access to way more information than we do. The four of us have limited experience watching these players and their stats can be hard to find online. That being said, each person can build their team weighing whatever factors they like: video highlights, softball or national team performance, a player’s story or background, marketing opportunities, vibes, personal fandom, and anything else that comes to mind.
The goal is to have fun, dream on the future of these rosters, and channel our excitement for the real thing.
Meet the Managers
Justin Jabs • New York • Pick #1
Justin regularly writes about the Women’s Pro Baseball League on his blog WPBLfan.com. He is a data analyst by day and enjoys playing board games, video games, and watching movies when he’s not following baseball. Justin lives in Milwaukee with his wife (and fellow WPBL fan) Stephanie. You can find him on Instagram @wpblfan.
Max Chase • Boston • Pick #2
Max (@maxchase52 on Instagram) hosts “The Happy Chasers” podcast, an unofficial independent podcast about the Women’s Pro Baseball League. You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the show’s website. He has done play-by-play for Division I sports, mainly at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. Max’s main goal is to provide play-by-play for a WPBL team, if he can figure out the housing and land a remote full-time job if needed. He is also trying to get over the Mariners’ loss in the ALCS. In his spare time, Max enjoys distance running, acting, and watching movies with his husband Shane.
Mary Mustard • San Francisco • Pick #3
Mary is a trans woman writer based in Albany, New York. She organizes and plays in a queer baseball club (@albanyqueerbaseball on Instagram) and blogs about the WPBL at Towards a More Perfect Game on Substack. Other work, including zines about women’s baseball, can be found at marymustardswebsite.siter.io.
Kate Nowlin • Los Angeles • Pick #4
Kate is a content creator out of Atlanta, GA who tells the stories of the Women’s Professional Baseball League. She runs @wpblnews on Instagram/TikTok/YouTube and aims to do her part in helping spur the growth of women’s baseball. When she’s not making videos she enjoys playing video games, drawing, and going on adventures with her husband. (@wpblnews is not affiliated with WPBL.)
2025 WPBL Mock Draft
Enough table-setting – let’s get drafting!
#1OA – RHP Kelsie Whitmore, 27
JUSTIN JABS: It’s hard not to go with the face of the league with the first overall pick. Kelsie Whitmore is one of the most famous women ballplayers of this generation, in part because of her time competing in men’s leagues over the last decade: 57 innings pitched with the Sonoma Stompers, Staten Island FerryHawks, Oakland Ballers, and Savannah Bananas. Whitmore has spoken about the need to adapt and change her pitching style while playing for these teams and her excitement to get back to her roots and just be herself when competing in the WPBL. A marketable star once again pitching to her strengths? Sounds like a great pick to me.
Many WPBL players will both pitch and hit, and Whitmore is no slouch on offense. Based on my fuzzy math she has a near-.400 OBP across a decade of Women’s National Team performances. She was the first player announced to join the WPBL and she is the first off the board in our mock draft.
MAX CHASE: If I had gotten #1, it would have been either Whitmore or Sato. Excellent choice, no surprise.
MARY MUSTARD: I think we all would’ve taken her number one. Simple as that.
KATE NOWLIN: Mary is absolutely right.
#2OA – RHP Ayami Sato, 35
MAX CHASE: The old adage goes, “Pitching wins championships”. Sato has won four Women’s Baseball World Cups for Japan and is arguably the best women’s pitcher of all time. It’s hard not to go with her at #2 with Whitmore already taken, although I briefly considered Mo’ne Davis. Sato is also a natural choice for Boston geographically because she has pitched relatively close to here already (Toronto Maple Leafs). I would expect them to set the pace and give New York a run for its money with this selection.
JUSTIN JABS: I also considered Sato at #1. We don’t know how player movement year-to-year will work yet, but I think it’s a reasonable assumption that whoever drafts these players will get to retain their services for a few seasons. As such, I decided to go with the younger player in Whitmore.
#3OA – LHP Rosa María del Castillo, 28
MARY MUSTARD: del Castillo hit and pitched well for Mexico in the latest World Cup qualifier and group stages, a key part in assisting her team in earning Mexico’s first berth in the group stage and final stage. The lefty is said to sit 80 on her fastball and throws a pretty solid curve. She is also decorated in Mexico, competing for her home state of Puebla. She has been called the MVP of Mexican Women’s Baseball. I wanted to scoop one of the few decorated lefties to build my team around, and del Castillo fits the bill.
MAX: Love this pick! I wasn’t expecting del Castillo to be drafted this high but it’s a really solid choice.
#4OA – 3B Ashton Lansdell, 24
KATE NOWLIN: Lansdell is possibly my favorite player and grew up only 15 minutes away from where I live. She is a die-hard Braves fan, so I don’t have the edge there, but when she participated in the Home Run Derby X, she wore the Dodgers uniform so maybe! I think that LA fans would love her energy and personality. Her time with the Party Animals has brought out a confidence that would shine in LA. She’s a home-run hitter and loves to steal bases. What’s not to love?
JUSTIN: Lansdell is also my personal favorite player in the draft. She’s so fun, plays amazing defense, and led off for Team USA during their recent tournament play as well. She was the first person I thought of when the WPBL was announced and I’m so happy she’s involved – she’s going to be a star.
Learn more about Ashton Lansdell by checking out Kate’s latest video:
#5OA – RHP Alli Schroder, 23
KATE: Alli is a Canadian badass. Stats-wise the sample is small, but the level is high, she’s proven herself as a dangerous pitcher. As far as Alli and Los Angeles, I’m rolling the dice. She was rooting against LA in the World Series, lol.
MAX: “Schro” is super humble in person and her fastball is just as powerful as the water that comes out of her fire hose. Yes, Schroeder fights fires in Canada when she’s not pitching. LA gets a great badass. Well done, Kate.
#6OA – C Denae Benites, 24
MARY: Benites was the starting C for the USA WNT this latest World Cup, where she posted some power numbers. I wanted a good hitter and a reliable catcher, and on top of her skills Benites has been one of the league’s public advocates and an advocate for women’s baseball in general; having a star piece like that seemed smart.
MAX: Darn, Mary, I was really hoping that Benites would drop down to #7! She is deserving of being picked that high, so well done. Great walk-off homer in the 2024 WSBC and she’s not afraid to dive for foul balls. Solid chemistry with her pitchers as well.
JUSTIN: Agreed. Denae is so much fun to watch – her enthusiasm and hype for the game is unrivaled. A true cornerstone at catcher, great pick.
KATE: All I can say is I’m jealous. I love the energy she brings to every game.
#7OA – 3B Kylee Lahners, 32
MAX: Gimme that power hitter at the hot corner! I’m passing on Mo’ne Davis again because I can’t pass up the opportunity to take a proven power bat and fielder. Lahners’ talent was on full display at Nationals Park in August. Sadly, her stats page is down at the moment at USABaseball.com, but Boston fans will be quickly won over and will probably see a few home runs.
#8OA – SS Caitlin Eynon, 22
JUSTIN: I wanted a young position player with my second round pick, and even with personal favorites Lansdell and Benites off the board, I’m pumped to pick up Eynon out of Australia. Her head coach once called her “a top three shortstop in the world” and she’s one of the hardest throwing female pitchers in Australia. Her dedication to the game is admirable, she spent time playing in Japan two years ago. She’s a rising leader in the game and will make for a great cornerstone for New York.
#9OA – RHP/UTL Jill Albayati, 21
JUSTIN: I’ve mentioned my first exposure to women’s baseball on the blog before – an exhibition game I attended in August 2023. Albayati was playing in that game. I don’t remember specifics of the box score, but I walked away from the ballpark thinking “that gal can hit.” She solidified this impression a year later when I saw her take Ayami Sato deep in the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup.
MAX: Great utility player who can “do it all.”
#10OA – CF/LHP Claire Eccles, 28
MAX: This is getting harder. I’m picking Eccles mainly because of her versatility at the center field and pitcher positions...and she’s a lefty. Utility players will be the backbone of the WPBL.
#11OA – RHP Sydney Barry, 19
MARY: One of the youngest eligible players at 19, Barry has a good story, coming out of small town Alberta where she helped the provincial team win bronze in the national tournament. I watched some recruiting videos of her work and I liked her swing and her pitching form.
#12OA – LF Lexi Hastings, 23
KATE: I actually hadn’t heard of Lexi until she tagged me in one of her posts and I looked her up. What I learned is that she is UConn Softball’s all time leader in runs scored + stolen bases and was the Big East Player of the Year. I’m very excited about her transition to the WPBL and think I have as good odds as any getting her in LA.
JUSTIN: I also wasn’t aware of Lexi before the WPBL tryouts, but she’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. She’s shared some great videos on Instagram about her personal journey, and the highlights from the 2025 Women’s National Team Development Program look good. Great pick!
#13OA – CF Luttwanda Allen, 26
KATE: I wasn’t able to find a ton of information on Luttwanda, but what I did find made me think that she’s a player with potential. She may not be as flashy on paper as some of my other picks, but I just have a hunch. I can’t explain it.
JUSTIN: Hunches help win championships. I respect following your gut!
#14OA – 2B Denver Bryant, 22
MARY: Hard hitting infielder for South Carolina program; played a year with World Professional Fastpitch. I liked her pro experience and her hitting ability to compliment my two pitcher selections.
MAX: Solid pick. She had an impressive showing at the Nationals Park scrimmages. I predict she’ll be a fan favorite.
#15OA – 2B Isabella Villarreal, 19
MAX: I came across a feature story on Villareal and was really impressed. From what I saw in DC, she has a bright future ahead of her. Plus, according to USABaseball.com, she can also play shortstop and pitch if needed.
#16OA – RHP Meggie Meidlinger, 37
JUSTIN: Meggie is a pro’s pro. She’s been pitching for the women’s national team longer than I’ve been a baseball fan, collecting 24 strikeouts across nearly 33 innings of international competition since 2006. She hasn’t even allowed a run in these high-profile games since 2022. Her teammates love her – she was recognized as USA Baseball’s Sportswoman of the Year in 2025 – and she’s a dominating force out of the bullpen. If New York is going to have success out of the gate, Meidlinger will be a big part of it.
MAX: Meidlinger threw a lot at the Nationals Park scrimmages, and for good reason. Her command was on point. Great pickup for New York, no question.
#17OA – 1B Andréanne Leblanc, 24
JUSTIN: My team’s a little pitching-heavy at the moment, so I’ll round out this exercise by grabbing a switch hitter from the Canadian Women’s National Team.
During the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup, Leblanc played 9 games against the best competition in the world and went 8-for-19 with 5 extra-base hits, 9 RBIs, and 2 walks. Among those at the World Cup who are also in the WPBL draft pool, only Kylee Lahners had an OPS better than Leblanc’s mark of 1.162.
MAX: Completely forgot about LeBlanc when I shouldn’t have. That’s a fantastic pickup as well.
#18OA – CF Mo’ne Davis, 24
MAX: Okay, so she isn’t a national team player, but there is no question that Davis has speed in the outfield and the basepaths--and is PR gold. She’s already signed to the WPBL and has a video on the league website’s home page, so I figured I might as well scoop her up having passed on it for quite a while now. The hitting will come with time. This pick puts Davis geographically close to her hometown of Philadelphia, sweetening the pot for the league’s storylines. She DH’ed at the first public scrimmage in DC, and she will be my DH as well for Boston. Oh yes, and backup outfielder and pitcher. Another utility player for the win. Notice a theme here?
JUSTIN: Mo’ne is off the board! I’m excited to see what she does. Her first time toeing the pitching rubber for the WPBL is going to be appointment television.
#19OA – RHP Ayuri Shimano, 21
MARY: Reported to be an ace for her high school in the women’s national high school tournament in Japan, Shimano was recruited for an amateur women’s team under the banner of the legendary Yomiuri Giants of Tokyo.
MAX: For those who don’t know, most of the Japan women’s national team’s roster that won the 2024 World Cup actually isn’t in the draft pool--Sato being one of the few exceptions. There are major cultural differences between baseball in Japan and the US--I highly recommend Robert Whiting’s book “You Gotta Have Wa” if you are curious about that. I also know many of the Japanese players are extremely loyal to their country--nothing wrong with that. For the record, I really wanted to pick multiple players from that 2024 team and then found out they weren’t on the list. Having said all that, I love that Mary’s willing to roll the dice picking Shimano. Japan did have a women’s pro baseball league for quite a few years before COVID-19, and the culture there puts heavy emphasis on self-discipline and self-improvement. I have no doubt San Francisco would be rewarded picking her.
JUSTIN: Wow - this is a super cool pick! San Francisco’s pitching is stacked.
#20OA – SS Samaria Benítez, 23
KATE: In 2023 Samaria was named the WBSC Number 1 Baseball World Cup Play of the Year for an amazing play at shortstop, but this isn’t the only reason I picked her. She is used to competing at a high level and at the 2025 Pan American Women’s Baseball Championship she recorded a .500 batting average. I also think that LA would make sense location-wise, as she is from Mexico.
Closing Thoughts
New York
Kelsie Whitmore, Caitlin Eynon, Jill Albayati, Meggie Meidlinger, Andréanne Leblanc
JUSTIN: I’m happy with how my draft turned out. Grabbing Kelsie Whitmore instantly puts New York on the map, and helps tap into local fans who saw her pitch with the Staten Island FerryHawks. A lot of talent went off the board between my first round (#1 overall) and second round (#8 overall) picks – talent I really would have liked to add – but overall I think we have a good foundation of a team. Eynon will be key to shoring up the defense of my pitching/offense-focused squad.
Boston
Ayami Sato, Kylee Lahners, Claire Eccles, Isabella Villarreal, Mo’ne Davis
MAX: Also happy with things on my end. Sato gives Boston strong pitching instantly. I have a ton of flexibility with lineups given the versatility of Eccles and Davis. Villareal and Lahners are solid at their positions defensively and Lahners will set the tone for the hitters. This is a great foundation for my team. Of course, eventually two catchers will need to be drafted.
San Francisco
Rosa María del Castillo, Denae Benites, Sydney Barry, Denver Bryant, Ayuri Shimano
MARY: I am pretty interested to see if my picks end up going high. A lot of my first choices ended up being taken by others, which is the nature of the game. Sydney Barry I probably wouldn’t have taken so high, it was a more random choice from lower on my list. But I have the feeling the others I chose will go far. This exercise provided the opportunity to dig into more options, and now I feel much more ready to evaluate the real picks as they come.
To read more of Mary’s thoughts on the WPBL draft and learn about another dozen cool players, check out the latest post on her Substack:
Los Angeles
Ashton Lansdell, Alli Schroder, Lexi Hastings, Luttwanda Allen, Samaria Benítez
KATE: This was my first mock draft and I had fun! I’m not sure how I did, but I love the players I picked. I think any team with my picks would be a strong one. I’m excited to see how it turns out!
Those are our picks. There are many more players each of us wanted to grab, but this post is over 3,000 words already and we have to cut the exercise off somewhere. 🤣 A huge shoutout and thank you to Kate, Mary, and Max for coming along on this ride with me – be sure to check out all their great work mentioned above.
How do you think we did? Which players did we miss out on that you would’ve taken earlier? Which team is best set up for success for the rest of the draft? Who would you have taken in the first round? Let us know in the comments and be sure to vote in the poll below.
I’m glad we didn’t buy our Wicked: For Good tickets yet! I’m also so excited that this will be a live spectator event we can watch. Don’t forget to mark your calendars.
I realize the WPBL official release reads: “The Draft will be completed in six rounds, with each of the four teams selecting five players per round.”
I can’t quite decipher how that works – does one team get five players before the next team gets any? If it’s one player at a time, what’s the distinction between that and just calling it a 30 round draft?
Regardless, we opted to keep things traditional for our mock and refer to a “round” as all four teams picking one player in turn.
Looking forward to stealing some of these picks for a fantasy league next year!
Now that the official draft order of SF, LA, NY and Boston has been finalized, would you still make those picks or does the order change some of these scenarios? Would love to read a follow-up article.